CityPass Updates

Houston tourism chalks up a gain

2008-05-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

The president of CityPass wasn't convinced there was much to do in Houston.

Mike Gallagher had been to Houston 25 years ago on business, and as far as he could tell, about the only attraction was Johnson Space Center.

But local boosters pestered him into coming back. Surprised to see Houston's array of museums, a quality zoo and the Downtown Aquarium, Gallagher added Houston to his CityPass network of cities, which includes the more touristy San Francisco, New York and Seattle.

It was enough to convince him that Houston was a viable market, and the area's own CityPass goes on sale May 13.

"It says to the world, 'There is a tourist destination, and you should visit,' " said Greg Ortale, president and chief executive of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The bureau hopes to sell 30,000 passes a year, aiming them at Latin American tourists who visit to shop and go to appointments at the Texas Medical Center as well as to regional visitors and even locals looking to save money.

They also hope the passes, which will be marketed through travel agents and tour operators, might encourage visitors to stay a day or two longer. That, in turn, would boost hotel occupancy and spending at restaurants and stores.

"Being a CityPass destination helps us with our identity as a tourist destination," Ortale said. "A lot of our customers assume that if you are a CityPass city, there must be a lot to see or do here."

The Houston pass, which provides admission to six attractions, will cost $34 for adults and $24 for children.

The price is nearly half what visitors otherwise might pay if they bought tickets at individual ticket counters.

Four of the attractions are fixed: Space Center Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo and the Downtown Aquarium.

Options available Pass holders also can choose two options from among four other offerings: George Ranch Historical Park or the Health Museum; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston or the Children's Museum of Houston.

The passes, which can be purchased from any of the attraction sites, are good for nine days from the date the first ticket is used.

Houston Mayor Bill White is scheduled to buy the first pass when they go on sale. It's unclear if he'll pick the George Ranch or the Health Museum.

The Napa, Calif.-based Gallagher said he chose the attractions in Houston by looking at their attendance figures, year-round accessibility and uniqueness.

Each time a pass coupon is used, the location receives a portion of the proceeds, he said. They receive a larger premium if they sold the pass initially.

The passes are appealing economically because it's a way to bring in new visitors without adding a lot of extra cost, said Gallagher, who had a long career in recreational marketing before launching the CityPass program with a partner in 1997.

Once you've opened your doors, the cost of entertaining 1,200 visitors is virtually the same as 1,000, he said.

After spending a little more for extra supplies and other essentials, the admission fee from the extra 200 people goes right to the bottom line.

The Children's Museum of Houston hopes its participation in CityPass will boost museum attendance by 10 percent, executive director Tammie Kahn said. The museum hosts about 630,000 visitors a year, and about one-third are from outside Houston.

"The pass will give us a wider reach," said Kahn, adding that it will help its promotional efforts in Latin America, which is a core target market.

Over spring break, groups of children from the Caribbean came for a visit, she said. Newspapers in Colombia and Argentina have published stories about what to see and do at the museum.

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To see more of the Houston Chronicle, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.HoustonChronicle.com.

Yesterday in NYC

2008-04-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the Circle Line, we bought this thing called a NY CityPass. It’s $65 and it gets you admission to the Circle Line (although you have to pay a little extra for the 3-hour tour; the 2-hour tour is included in the price of the NYC CityPass) as well as the Empire State Building, the Guggenheim, the Met, the MoMA, and the Museum of Natural History. Normal admission to the Museum of Natural History – as we found out today – is $30! My, how times have changed. We were glad to have the CityPass.

We were only at the museum about an hour. I still can’t believe we did two museums in one day….

Anyway, we headed straight for the Hall of African Mammals. The elephants are extraordinary! Next it was off to the Hall of North American Mammals – Alaskan brown bears are much bigger and MUCH fluffier than I thought! I wanted to take one home and snuggle with it.

Then we saw the room with the blue whale: the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. I especially liked the polar bear. We were both impressed with the size of the blue whale.

Next, we visited the Ross Hall of Meteorites (space rocks!), the Guggenheim Hall of Minerals (snoozefest…), and the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems, where they have the Star of India, the world’s largest sapphire.

After that, it was up to the 4th floor to see the dinosaur fossils. I think it would have Ben’s favorite part of the whole museum, except that by the time we got there, we were both completely worn out. Ben actually sat on a bench in front of the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

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Boston MA

2008-04-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we woke up kind-of late (which is sort of pathetic since we went to bed really early the night before) and headed over to the New England Aquarium. It was part of our CityPass, which is a booklet of free-admissions to a pre-selected group of museums/sites for a flat rate; the NEAquarium was recommended by a classmate.

The building design focuses around a large (five-story!) tank, where you walk up a circular platform and each floor leads to another exhibit. Unfortunately, what sounds cool really wasn't. Coral reef takes up most of the space within the tank so it seemed like the fish were crammed and swimming around crazily (more like the people trying to see in the tank were crammed and crazy); I don't remember many tropical fish (which is pretty essential to a coral reef, amirite?); and there were about two or three sharks and one "pretend" shark (I can't remember the name of the fish, but basically it's anatomical structure is similar to that of a shark, for defensive purposes).

One of the floors had a petting area, and I guess growing up in Florida and having full access to SeaWorld, I expected stingrays. Well, if you were able to make it through the throngs of children, you could pet a couple of horseshoe crap (yawn) or "gently" touch starfish "under the water" (I put that in quotes because the majority of kids/parents did not heed to the rule).

Reasons to actually go to the aquarium (and I wouldn't recommend paying full price):
(1) Jellyfish tanks -- beautifullllll
(2) Penguin exhibit -- though it was down for cleaning, it was an open area (unlike SeaWorld) so you could actually hear the penguins. Especially entertaining were the Rockhopper penguins which make this really absurd cackling call as they throw back their heads and shake them violently. Hilarious! I think I made Jonathan make that noise about ten times after leaving that floor. :D
(3) Sea turtles -- I had never actually seen a full-grown sea turtle in person, and their size was really stunning. Luckily, we happened to be on the top floor (looking down into the tank) as they did one of the scheduled public feedings. I think we stood there for about ten minutes just watching them gobble up lettuce leaves.
4) Taking pictures with the sexay mascots. (The turtle is better)

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Seattle Cruise

2008-04-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Argosy Cruise – Don’t be put off by the term “cruise” as the Argosy Cruise takes only about 2 hours. However, during that time, you’ll see the city of Seattle from arguably the most natural and beautiful vantage point: the water. There are four daily tours that run year-round from the Seattle, Lake Union and Kirkland City Docks. All have live narration, wonderful views and feature some of Seattle’s most famous places. When my kids came to visit last summer, we purchased the City Pass, which includes the Argosy Cruise. The City Pass is a discounted package that allows you to see 5 of Seattle’s most famous attractions – all of which I’ve described a bit in this series. After seeing all 5 sites, the kids were adamant that the Argosy Cruise was by far their most favorite. Not only does the cruise include tons of great education regarding the area, its history and dissertations on topics such as how the cargo ships function, but there’s also great stories such as why a certain hotel that extended over the water had to be temporarily shut down. I won’t ruin that story for you, but will highly recommend taking a couple of hours to enjoy this relaxing cruise.

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The New Houston CityPass

2008-04-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Houston CityPass costs $34 for adults and $24 for ages 4-11. It includes tickets to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Space Center on the grounds of NASA, the Downtown Aquarium, and the Houston Zoo. In addition, the booklet comes with several options: admission to either the Health Museum or the George Ranch Historical Park, a living history center on a working ranch; and a visit to either the Museum of Fine Arts or the Children's Museum of Houston.

The price of the booklet typically works out to about half that of individually purchased tickets, and it also includes transportation directions, a map, hours and information compiled by National Geographic Traveler magazine about dining, shopping, neighborhoods and nightlife.

Most attractions allow CityPass holders to avoid waiting in line for tickets once they get there.

Ticket booklets are valid for nine days from the first day of use.

You can buy the Houston CityPass from www.citypass.com, at any of the participating attractions, or from the Greater Houston Visitor Center at City Hall, 901 Bagby St., 800-446-8786.

CityPass offers similar ticket booklets for attractions in New York, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Hollywood or Southern California. Some of these passes have added attractions this year, including for the Seattle CityPass, the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum; for the Philadelphia CityPass, the Eastern State Penitentiary, a historic site; for the New York CityPass, an option to do either the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum or the Circle Line cruise around Manhattan; and in Chicago, an option for either the Hancock Observatory or the Sears Tower.

CityPass also offers discounts for certain transportation extras, like savings on a guided bicycle ride over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, a trolley tour in Boston, or a Double Decker bus in New York City.

San Francisco Planning

2008-01-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

When you travel somewhere, you want to visit some touristy places, the ones that you see on TV and everyone talks about, but you may also want to hang out in cool neighborhood and enjoy life as a local. To me being able to experience a little of the local life, that is the real experience.

San Francisco CityPass
Alright, so here’s my free plug for CityPass, the San Francisco edition, which I think provides a good compromise to fulfill your tourist visits and let you discover the city on your own.

First, I want to make the point that I am recommending the San Francisco CityPass because I have actually used it, and it is the only one of the serie that also provides a pass for one week of free commute in the city. This is very convenient because it’s basically pretty much all you need to get around, and that how the locals do it, too! Also, it includes unlimited rides on the historical Cable Car. A one way cable car ride costs $5, and a weekly bus pass is $15, the CityPass cost $54. Already, this is a deal!

Note though, the attractions of the pass are valid to use within 9 days, and the commute pass is valid for 7 days only.

Getting around San Francisco: ride the Muni!
San Francisco is a very compact city, where people tend to prefer taking public transportation rather than driving. Reason being that parking is a real pain, as a result, the commute system, the Muni as it’s called, serves the city very well. Frequent buses that can get you pretty much anywhere you want in the city in a timely manner.

So before finding lodging, check out the Muni maps, and try find a stay near the main Muni stations. This way you’ll optimize your time in the transportation and have more time to enjoy the city!

Also, to figure out your route from one point to another, just go their Trip Planner!

On a sidenote, you may have heard of the BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit. It’s the subway system that runs through the Bay Area, but if you intend to visit the city onnly, there is really no reason to take it. It really has nothing worth paying the ride for. If you plan to visit Berkeley or Oakland in the East Bay, then, you will want to take it.

So here we go, let me help you get prepared for San Francisco.

1st Task: Get a card of the city
There is a tourist information center at Powell station, located downtown. I recommend going there to grab all the pamphlets and other information you may be interested in.

The Bay City guide booklet, includes some maps of the city, so grab one of those. The maps are also online so you can download and print them ahead.

2nd Task: Get a CityPass
You can either buy it online or get one at the locations listed on the website.
*Note: if you buy it through Alcatraz Cruises, you will get a pass to the Alcatraz island. A tourist must see! This is new(!), and I recommend it!

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Boston's Skyline

2008-01-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Step for step, Boston is an American history epic with a New England accent. Boston CityPass offers a cultural buffet of memorable locations, attractions and a sky-high vista, too.

Boston CityPass chooses carefully to save 50% and whisk you through the doors of Boston’s distinctive in-the-know attractions with its six-ticket booklet. Getting into Harvard is easy! Alumni and benefactors have bestowed the rarest of the rare upon the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology; there's nothing to compare to its glass cases, exhibits and displays of acquisitions in the places once scarcely found on maps.

Another ticket from our slim booklet -- rich in details such as opening and closing hours, tips and how to use the "T" -- speeds you to JFK's Presidential Museum for a look back at the '60s Camelot and political angles. Dip your imagination in aquatic species at the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science and the outstanding Museum of Fine Arts.

Top off your trip with the Prudential Building's Skywalk Observatory and its bird's eye view of the region. Don't miss the special coupon for a treat at the Union Oyster House, the United States oldest seafood restaurant.

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Seattle City Pass

2008-01-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Dodge flying fish. Sip Pike Blend, available only at the original Starbucks – the little brew that launched an empire. Twirl around twice for a panoramic effect of Elliott Bay, the Olympic peaks, the top sliver of Mt. Rainier, and magazine-chic islands surrounding the Pacific Northwest's fabled Emerald City. Seattle CityPass attractions are perfect punctuation points to Pike Place Market fishmongers and crafts, downtown shopping and Pioneer Square galleries.

At half-off the price of individually purchased admission, our sleek CityPass booklet puts you on a gorgeous Argosy Cruises Harbor tour, crossing wakes with island ferries. Immerse yourself in fresh and salt-water wonders at the Seattle Aquarium and, from a higher viewpoint, leave your fingerprints on Pacific Science Center exhibits. Drop in on the Woodland Park Zoo for a peek at the region's flora and fauna. And for an idea of the influence of man's devotion to air travel, visit The Museum of Flight. Note: Summers (and in the Northwest, that means from the Fourth of July to October) are naturally air-conditioned and relatively dry. It's when all those Washington wine regions get great sun on the vines. There’s less rainfall than in New York, but it appears here as mist or drizzle. Locals love it, swear by its power to look ten years younger, count on "sun breaks" and leave umbrellas to the tourists.

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Valentaines in Chicago

2008-01-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Discover romance against the sparkling city skyline. Chicago, the third largest city in the nation, is an exciting backdrop for a truly memorable Valentine’s weekend get-away. A cultural explosion, this Illinois city lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, offering the finest in soul, jazz, blues and gospel music, mouth-watering deep-dish pizza, champion sporting events and the city’s famous Chicago hot dog.

Transportation is easy in the nation’s hub, whether you arrive by air, rail or auto. Quickly and cost-efficiently move from Point A to Point B via Chicago’s extensive metro, known locally as The L. You can also make use of airport shuttles, city busses or Chicago’s historic and broad-reaching highway system.

When you visit, set aside a day to explore non-stop art attractions and shopping in and around the business district. At Armitage, you’ll find prestigious shops and million-dollar historical homes. Enjoy a more modern experience in the Wicker Park where you can grab a bite to eat and order a drink at a local bar.

For a low, fixed price, Chicago’s CityPass provides a steep discount on, and front-of-the-line entrance to, five popular tourist attractions including Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Hancock Observatory, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Shedd Aquarium. Plus, don’t forget the unbeatable shopping opportunities that captivate you at Chicago’s Watertower Place, Michigan Avenue strip and Chicago Place where you’ll find Bloomingdales, Macy’s Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lacoste, Movado, Tiffany’s and countless one-of-a-kind boutique shops.

For the true sports fan, this city is an unbeatable haven. In 2006, The Sporting News named Chicago, home of 16 professional sports teams, the best sports city in the nation. Visitors can plan to spend an action-packed day at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, US Cellular Field or United Center cheering on champion teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cubs, Bears or White Sox or Blackhawks. Chicago is also home to incredible indoor soccer, hockey, lacrosse and rugby. Pick your event, book in advance and experience the excitement. The day is guaranteed to be a winner.

Chicago is renowned for it’s eclectic dining choices ranging from All-American to Korean, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Whether you prefer a posh, upscale establishment or the trendy Hard Rock Café, you’ll find the hardest part is choosing just one. Add icing to the cake by giving your sweet a devilish fresh-baked cinnamon roll covered draped in sugary goodness from Ann Sather or specialty pastries from some of the nation’s most incredible bakeries.

The evening is rich with shows and entertainment. Spend an afternoon finding the ideal attire then leisurely enjoy a delicious dinner. Then sit back and enjoy an night filled with laughter and relaxation. Some options, requiring reservations, include The Blue Man Group, an artistic multimedia performance, or rotating shows at the Steppenwolf Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Symphony Center. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more casual, visit B.L.U.E.S or Rosa’s Lounge on Armitage, two unbeatable local blues bars, The Hideout on Wabansia, an alternative folk and bluegrass bar, The Velvet Lounge, offering an incredible jazz atmosphere, or Green Mill on N. Broadway, former hangout for notorious gangster Al Capone, presenting an intense weekly poetry slam and jazz music.

Economical NY

2007-12-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

One of the most economical ways to plan a trip to NY is to purchase a NYC CityPass. What that is, is a booklet with tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the new Greek and Roman galleries; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); Guggenheim Museum; the American Museum of Natural History; a pass for the Empire State Building Observatory; and tour of the Manhattan skyline aboard a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. visit each attraction.

Neer Heard of it.

2007-12-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

I have never heard of a New York CityPass, or at least a tourism New York City pass. If you’re looking for an affordable and unique gift for this holiday season why not get that someone on your list the New York CityPass. Their 6 famous attractions is so amazing and if you have a New York CityPass, you’ll surely save a lot of money because you can now buy it for half price.

Furthermore CityPass saves time by allowing visitors to skip most main entrance ticket lines and it saves money, because New York CityPass is sold at 50% off the combined admission price. A New York CityPass is $65 for adults (compared to $130 price if the tickets were purchased separately), and $49 for youths 12-17 (a value of $89.50.) CityPass offers overnight delivery options and inexpensive gift wrapping with a personalized gift card. Excellent and exciting gift especially if you plan to vacation this holiday season in NYC.

New York CityPass for saves cash

2007-12-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

There is so much excitement but New York City is not cheap! I have a deal that will save you bundles! The New York CityPass is the only way to go. Let me explain! There is so much to do like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the new Greek and Roman galleries. How about a trip to the top of the Empire State Building Observatory! Or a tour of the Manhattan skyline from the water aboard a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. I know this all sounds amazing expensive but not with the New York CityPass. Right now for the holidays you can get your New York CityPass for 50% off! You cant beat that deal anywhere! Plus another bonus is with the New York CityPass you do not have to wait in the long entrance lines! Just so you get an idea of how much you will save I will give you a run down of some prices. A New York CityPass is $65 for adults if you compared that to $130 ( if the tickets were purchased separately), and $49 for youths 12-17 (a value of $89.50.) you will end up saving a lot! The New York CityPass gives you tickets to the places I mentioned before and many more like Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.

New York for Less

2007-12-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

The concept of selling passes to more than one venue known as a "CityPass" is not new, especially in Europe and England, yet here in the states you can now take advantage of a similar program with the New York CityPass. What you get is easy, each pass contains a ticket to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the new Greek and Roman galleries, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. There's also a trip to the top of the Empire State Building Observatory and boat tour of the Manhattan skyline through Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise ships. Making it even better you get public transportation information and insider tips on the best time to visit each attraction and a map. My two must see places are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, no matter how many times I experience them it's always enjoyable.

New York in Xmas

2007-12-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

A New York CityPass might be the one Christmas present they will cherish for a long time. With this pass, a person can visit many of the favorite sites without waiting in a long and painful line, they have a ticket and can enter. If I went to New York, I’d want to see the Empire State Building’s Observatory is wanted by everyone, as well as a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise to view the skyline from the water. My favorite ticket would be the trip to the American Museum of Natural History to see their coral reef, exoplanet, and cosmic collision, and other displays. I always visit art museums around the world when I travel and the chance to see New York City’s top three would make my day. New York Metropolitan Museum has several displays of Asian art that I’d like to see to compare against what we observed in China. Solomon’s Gift, the founding collection of artwork at the Guggenheim Museum would be a real thrill. The George Seurat exhibit and Asian Cinevisions at the Museum of Modern Art would be fun.

Chicago Hancock Tower Prices

2007-12-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

In addition to all the traditional reasons for getting together, my cousin is thinking about getting his post-graduate degree at Northwestern. He’d never been to Chicago before, so my aunt and uncle wanted to take him to one of the two sky-high observatories. I suggested having lunch at the Signature Room at the 95th in the Hancock Building so we could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. The prices are fairly reasonable for downtown Chicago and for the location, and it’s actually a floor above the Observatory.

The Hancock was fitting into the stereotype of big-city gougers, taking advantage of the tourists. Besides the admission price they charge $4 for an audio tour (get an additional set of headphones for $1 more), and $1 for each of the telescope. To get around this I have three recommendations: one is to make reservations at the Signature Room for lunch or dinner. Another, for adult visitors, is to have a drink at the Signature Lounge (on the 96th) and enjoy some appetizers and the piano player. With those two you won’t see the displays featuring information on the history and development of Chicago, which even my teenage son was reading with interest, so that’s something to take into consideration. The third is to purchase a Chicago CityPass or a GoChicagoCard if you plan on seeing more attractions. These programs charge one price for admission to multiple favorites, including the Field Museum (which has a must-see Maps exhibit right now), the Art Institute, and Shedd Aquarium. For any of these options it’s best to go during the week, if possible.

I suppose the big question is “is it worth it?” Without the frustration of the price increases and the wait, I’d say yes. It’s exhilarating to be 1000 feet up in the air and get the bird’s eye view, and to see so many of Chicago’s famous landmarks from one vantage point.

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Southern Califronia Tips

2007-12-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

The PhotoPass photographers are happy (or at least willing) to take pictures with your personal cameras. We often asked them to take our picture with our personal camera, and they were always as cheerful as possible to do it. It is nice to have some pictures with all of us, rather than just 4 out of 5. We also let them take some with their cameras, it doesn’t cost anything unless you eventually buy something, and they might take that one picture that captures your trip perfectly.

We bought a California CityPass and also went to Universal Studios and Sea World. We all especially enjoyed Universal Studios. The Citypass coupons for both those 2 parks were accepted directly at the entrance gates, we did not have to go through a ticket booth of through will call.

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Getting around Manhatten

2007-12-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

The first morning I ended up in Manhattan was pretty overwhelming. A short 3 minutes walk from Port Authority brought me up to Times Square. It was exactly how I imagined it to be -- very busy and lots of animated digital advertisements all over the place. They are bright even in the morning.

I remember it took me quite a while to get myself oriented. My first stop was the visitor center to get some info. For this trip, I had planned not to go for a Broadway show but would definitely want to get into the David Letterman's Late Night Show (more about that later).

I also got the CityPass for New York. It costs $65. With that I get access to six attractions at half the entrance prices which includes:

* The Empire State Building
* A 2 hour Sightseeing Cruise around the Manhattan Island
* The Metropolitan Museum of Art
* The Guggenheim Museum
* The Museum of Natural History
* The Museum of Modern Art

This saves quite a bit of entrance money. The other thing about this pass is that I could use it to bypass the long lines that often forms in these popular attractions.

There is another kind of such passes. I think it's called "Go New York" or something like that. I did not like that one. This other card allows you access to places by the day ... i.e. visit as many places as you can in a day for a price. I did not want to run from one attraction to another the whole day long. My plan was just to visit one major sight a day, maybe two.

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Spring Break in San Diego

2007-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

After going to California to visit Disneyland a couple of times with my Mother-in-law I know that there is so much more I want to see and do in California. I really would like to go to San Diego. My husband has told me stories of when he and his father visited the San Diego Zoo. The kids and I would love to see the zoo.

Get a Hollywood CityPass with gets you into the Hollywood Wax Museum, Starline Tours of Hollywood, Red Line Tours and the Kodak Theatre or the Hollywood Museum in the famous Max Factor Building. There is also a very interesting San Diego Haunted Ghost Tour for 1½ hour tour to visit San Diego’s Haunted Locations.

My son though would be taking the tour to Legoland. They’ve got lots of rides, plenty of shows and many other attractions. Plus there is plenty of legos to play with and that could keep him content for quite some time.

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On to Chicago

2007-10-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

Chicago won’t be a cheap trip, that’s for sure. I’m wondering if, in addition to the not-cheap tickets to the Star Wars thing, if I should buy a CityPass so we can also take in the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium, and the Observatory (oh, please, as if I’m going to have any energy for that but they are all close together).

I’d rather go to the art museum again, since I didn’t get to see all I wanted to see the last time I was there. Buhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gift. How many days of museum-going can one girl take? At least an aquarium has life flowing throughout it. As much as I enjoy artfully arranging relics from the past, the “dead” quality of museums is a joy-kill sometimes. Just…sort of makes me depressed, I dunno. Whereas art is alive.

So, anyway. Anyone been to Chicago and used CityPass? What did you think?

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My Days in Chicago

2007-10-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday, great, cool and nice. We went to Chicago culture center not on purpose. But it changed everything.Why? It is the information center of Chicago tourism. First, we found out that there was a train tour sponsored by Chicago Architecture Association. It is FREE and brilliant. Basically we took this metro and traveled around downtown three rounds of loop line. The presentation lasted about 20 minutes. Pointer was available and very helpful. Second, we met this lady (black) in the information center. She recommended us to by a ticket called CityPass for
5 attractions including 4 museums. Also, we knew where the gallery district was and how to take FREE trolley to the museums. The map was free too. So we were so stupid to buy an expensive map.Yeh, after the train tour, we had the famous Chicago Jumbo hot dog for breakfast. I had never had this special dog before. I got to do it again. Actually I did in the next day. Next stop Navy pier. Boat, boat, and boats, Chicago men are rich, there are so many boats in Lake Michigan. From the beach I cal see the who Chicago, tower, tower and towers magnificent! Then we took a water taxi from Navy pier to Sears tower which was the tallest in the states.

From, Sears tower to gallery district was a long way. But it was worth the distance. The gallery was great. different arts along the two sides of the street. quite a few Chinese artist.Everyone can show ans sale his art there. From art gallery to water tower. you will see that those equipments were made about 200 years ago and still support the water supply of people in downtown. When we came back we did not have any energy.

Experience Summary:

Always go to information center before you do anything else or make travel plans. It is very helpful. Sometimes there might be surprises for you.
Buy a City Pass, save more than 40 dollars.
Buy an universal adapter in China.
Don’t buy a map, you can get a free one in Information center.

Take another look at America’s most interesting museums

2007-09-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK — CityPass®, the visitor ticket booklet of select attractions with half-price clout in 10 North American destinations, makes sampling the best big city museum exhibitions of fall and winter surprisingly easy on the wallet. A back-to-school, back-to-business sensibility returns after a summer of leisure, marking blockbuster exhibitions that are visual feasts, exhibitions that instruct and entertain, and a chance to shop in quirky splendor. Nothing flatters getaways with substance like a great deal. It leaves time to bump into lovely surprises, with spare cash for souvenirs of the journey.

CityPass Destination Fall/Winter Exhibition Highlights

In autumn, a city’s cultural pace quickens, store windows take on jewel-color displays, and street lights glitter en route to a new season of performances and holiday celebrations. CityPass delivers must-see city art, science, and natural history museum collections in addition to harbor cruises, historical locations, sky-high observatories, cable cars, sightseeing and bonus values at about 50% off regular admission prices.
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The following are highlights of major exhibitions in CityPass destinations. From the lofty to the arcane, this fall runs a gamut of themes and execution. Certain exhibitions may require timed admission or separate admission; check with the museum upon visiting.

New York - There’s no better time to sample the style, ambitions, personalities – past and present – and cultural icons of New York than during its fall season. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a recent addition to New York CityPass, is dazzling visitors in The New Greek and Roman galleries, with jewels, chariots, sculptures evoking human perfection, and frescoes once buried by Vesuvius. Just open is The Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings, through January 6, 2008, 228 masterpieces displayed together for the first time in a rich array of landscapes, still lifes, marine views, and portraits.

The American Museum of Natural History reveals the compelling story of water, our planet’s lifeblood in Water: H2O=LIFE, November 3, 2007-May 25, 2008. It offers a fresh slant on a precious resource in terms of human use and economies, reveals the cultural and spiritual aspects of water around the globe, using innovations such as projecting images on fog.

Focus: Alexander Calder, September 14, 2007-February 18, 2008 at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) showcases the work of Alexander Calder, who quietly revolutionized ideas about what modern sculpture could be, with an installation of his early mobiles and wire sculptures, works of humor, visual sophistication and inventiveness created before he shifted to monumental constructions.

The Guggenheim’s origins are on display through January 9, 2008 in Solomon’s Gift: The Founding Collection of the Guggenheim 1937-1949. Solomon Guggenheim’s singular tastes launched what is now a landmark name in art and museums. Guggenheim boldly championed abstraction and the artists he fancied, such as Picasso, Chagall, Rousseau, and Modigliani. This exhibition offers an inside peek at the work that launched a legend.
Other tickets include Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise with choices that offer close-up views of the Statue of Liberty and The Empire State Building Observatory, now open until 2 a.m. every day to better enjoy the views of New York’s boroughs from 1,454 feet. Also included to underscore Big Apple distinctions and nibble at other costs, the booklet includes tips, transportation information, contact numbers and Web sites, museum shop discounts, restaurant values, and Bloomingdale’s shopping package. Priced at $65.00 for adults – a $130.00 value – New York CityPass represents a travel savings of 50% off individually purchased attraction tickets.
Boston - The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston strides, minces, and glides through time with remarkable footwear in Walk This Way, September 22, 2007-March 23, 2008. Shoes are a cultural and economic revelation in this riveting exhibition of function and fashion, juxtaposed with the art and objects of the periods for context.

Also at MFA, Boston: The excess, riches, and appropriated antiquities of Napoleon – rife with lions and griffons and gold – populate Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815, October 21, 2007-January 27, 2008.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History, an intimately scaled historic location on the Harvard University campus, hosts an array of haunting, close-up photos of familiar and unfamiliar species, printed in rich sepia tones: Looking at Animals: Photographs by Harry Horenstein, September 28 - June 2008.

Other tickets include New England Aquarium, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, Museum of Science and the Skywalk Observatory; bonus values offer discounts for the Freedom Walk tour and at the Union Oyster House, the oldest restaurant in Boston. Adults, $39.50; ages 3-11, $21.50.
Philadelphia - The National Constitution Center just unveiled Meet the Signers on September 15; 42 life-size bronze statues of American notables. First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image, October 5-December 31, tracks the evolution of the First Lady from ceremonial colleague to international celebrity, influencing everything from policy to fashion. New iPod audiotours are available for an in-depth experience and are $3.
Additional tickets include The Franklin Institute Science Museum, Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia Trolley Works, Philadelphia Zoo, and the choice of the Academy of Natural Sciences or Independence Seaport Museum. Adults, $49; ages 3-12, $34.

Atlanta - A precedent-making accord with the Louvre is in its second year at the High Museum of Art, attracting international attention to the hottest city in the Southeast. Opening October 16 is the simply, aptly named, Louvre Atlanta Year 2: Louvre and the Ancient World—a collection of objects and antiquities dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., including treasures unearthed at Pompeii and masterworks once bestowed in victory upon Napoleon.

Other Atlanta CityPass tickets include immediate entry to Georgia Aquarium plus World of Coca-Cola, Inside CNN Atlanta Studio Tour, either the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden, and a choice between Zoo Atlanta or Atlanta History Center. Adults, $64; ages 3-12, $45.

Toronto - The newly redesigned Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) captures the vitality and imagination of the collections contained therein and the sparkling verve of the city. New, talked-about architecture emulates jutting crystals which dominates the streetfront, while beloved original facades stand preserved inside. Canada Collects: Treasures from Across the Nation, October 6, 2007-January 6, 2008, brings together exceptional pieces of contemporary, historical and aboriginal art from premier collectors and collections across the country, ranging from Francis Bacon to Anne of Green Gables to Pierre Trudeau’s canoe. It promises to be a one-stop overview of Canadian culture.

Toronto CityPass delivers the rest of the city with tickets to CN Tower for great views over the city and Lake Ontario; Casa Loma, a hillside castle and traditional spot to schedule kid’s Christmas portraits of princes and princesses; Ontario Science Centre; Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Toronto Zoo. Adults, $59.00 CAD; ages 4-12, $39.00 CAD.

Chicago - The Magnificent Mile – a legendary stretch of Michigan Avenue through the heart of Chicago – celebrates the season with enormous cheer. A 14-block installation of lighted sculptures brightens the night beginning November 17; every Saturday in January and February at 6:30 p.m. there’s a fireworks display over the Chicago River.

The Field Museum of Natural History hosts Maps: Finding our Place in the World, November 2, 2007-January 27, 2008. Clay tablets to sea charts, satellite navigation to tantalizing sketches of the real world and imagined places, the exhibit contains centuries of maps, and cultural and technological influences.

The Museum of Science and Industry’s Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, October 5, 2007-January 6, 2008, explores the space fantasy technologies depicted in Star Wars films, the real science behind them, and projects real-life future versions. Note: separate admission required.
Chicago CityPass tickets include the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, and the Hancock Observatory. Adults, $49.50; ages 4-11, $39.

Seattle - The alternately bright and moody beauty of a Northwest fall and winter defines The Emerald City. Synonymous with Boeing and Microsoft, the city tingles with off-beat stimulation. The Museum of Flight celebrates women who made their mark in engineering: Petticoats and Slide Rules, through November 3, 2007. Decades ago, the phrase “petticoats and slide rules” was used in a speech to describe how women of the era harnessed their educations and talents while adhering to feminine expectations at home.

Other Seattle CityPass tickets include the Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Seattle Harbor Tour, Pacific Science Center, and Woodland Park Zoo. Adults, $39.50; ages 3-12, $24.

San Francisco - Heralded as the most important artist of his generation, Olafur Eliasson has created an exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Art to challenge the passive nature of traditional art-viewing. Olafur Eliasson, through February 24, 2008, merges art, science and natural phenomena to create an intentionally simple and thrilling installation using tangible elements of temperature, moisture, aroma and light to create physical sensation. This is an exhibit designed to feel, smell, taste, and experience color, movement and imagination.

Guaranteed to terrify adults and make children squeal with delight, Xtreme Life, at the California Academy of Natural Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium, examines life found in battery acid, methane seeps, inside rocks, and boiling sea vents. “Life” equates to Pompeii worms covered in blue hair made of bacteria thriving in 176-degree water; snottites, aka “snotties,” that hang from cave ceilings; and eight-foot long tubeworms with no mouth, gut or anus, among other stupefying examples. It poses the question: Who’s to say what’s out there in the galaxy?

Chicago Trip

2007-09-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

In Field Museum, we saw ancient history, from the history of Pompeii to the full-size replica of Sue, the T-Rex.

Our first destination was the exhibition of buried treasures and human drama of the people in Pompeii. Around 2000 years ago, a vibrant society disappeared beneath the ashes of Vesuvius. One night, while people were unaware of Vesuvius eruption, the ashes and lava came and destroyed the whole civilization. Some people tried to escaped and brought their belongings just like jewelry, gold coins, etc. They seemed to be pretty rich there. In fact one of Julius Caesar relatives lived there as well. However, they could escape nowhere. From the replica of the body structure we can see their last positions, some tried to protect their family, some tried to scream, some tried to hide...

The major difference between this museum and the other museums that I've visited was the musical background. In this Pompeii gallery there was music background that could light up the atmosphere as if we were at that Vesuvius moment. After Pompeii, we went through the other part of the museum, including the part of dinosaurs exploration. It was HUGE!
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That was the end of my first day trip to Chicago. Actually there was another good museum: The Oceanarium. However since it was getting late, we skipped it and decided to go home.

I've learned several things today.
First, there are many ways to have a more attractive museum. From an interactive format in Adler to the usage of musical background to lighten up the ambience. They also have good marketing strategy to promote the museum: free admission day, special museum package using the chicago citypass, even promoting special events through their website.

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New York CityPass

2007-09-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

While in NYC we used the NYC City Pass. What the City Pass does is give you some of the best tours and exhibits in one booklet. The New York pass included the Circle-Line Harbor cruise (mentioned in the previous post), Empire State Building, the MET, Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History. Our passes were good for 9 days and cost $65 each. This was great for us because we spent 2 days in New York before taking our 5 day cruise, and then another full day in New York.

One feature of the pass that worked out well for us was that we got to skip the line to purchase tickets at the Empire State Building, and includes the audio tour option which is a added fee for others. The audio tour was well worth it, narrated by George Carlin, you get the history of multiple sites you see from specific spots on the observation deck of the building. We tried doing the tour around 9PM on a Saturday and the line just to get in the building (don't get to skip this line) went around the building. So we decided to go Sunday Morning. This was a smart thing for us to do. We practically walked right in. The line inside to get to the elevators moved quickly (especially because we didn't have to go to the ticket booth). Even tho it was not anywhere near as busy as it was the night before, the observation deck was packed. I shutter to think how packed it was at 9 the night before.

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Labor Day in Seattle

2007-09-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Seattle is a fun town with lots to do. We stayed downtown (thanks to Priceline!) and were able to walk or take the bus or monorail everywhere. We visited the Aquarium, Pike Place Market (loved the "fish toss"), Pacific Science Center and we took a one-hour bay cruise. We were all worn out but it was well worth it. It's a beautiful area! Bought a tasty picnic lunch at the Italian Deli in Pike's. Sadly, the seafood restaurant we tried was a tourist trap we suspect, and it was very disappointing. We're looking forward to heading there again! For anyone visiting Seattle, or any other larger city, I definitely suggest looking into buying the Citypass or GoCard. If you're doing the typical "tourist" stuff, you can easily save 25-40% off admissions. Look into it!

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Circle line in New York

2007-09-12T04:52:00.000-07:00

Anyone visiting New York for the first time, may want to give the Circle-Line tour a chance. Circle-Line is at Pier 83 (on 42 street just a few blocks south of the cruise terminals). They offer 75 minute, 2 hour, 3 hour, and a tour called The Beast. We did the 2 hour tour as part of the NYC CityPass package. The tour, fully narrated, went south on the Hudson River, passed the Statue of Liberty, and up the East River before returning. Because the tour is a semi-circle, either side of the boat is a good seat because what you see on the port side in one direction will be on the starboard side on the return trip.

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